Adjustable table



P. J. BITTERMANN ADJUSTABLE TABLE Oct. 8, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 14, 1954 INVENTOR. .PETER J ENTE/TMA /V/v' fit1- ATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1935. P. J. BITTERMANN 2,016,850

ADJUSTABLE TABLE Filed June 14, 1934 2 sheets-sheet 2 f2 IN1/EN TOR.

T Q 5T PETER J l/HERMANN ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to furniture and particularly to adjustable tables or successive shelves. It is applicable to either modernistic or more conventional types, and has for its general ob- 5 ject the making of an attractive and convenient article of furniture which may be folded into a compact form so as to use little floor space but on occasion may be extended in a variety of ways to aiord a large amount of usable shelf or table space. It is not only adapted for the limited space requirements of the modern home but also may be made in various forms and sizes for commercial use in window displays. Another object is to make a strong and durable article which can be readily manufactured in quantity -at a lreasonable cost. Various other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a. general view of a framework in the modernistic form, showing the general principles of the invention, with the tables or shelves indi- 'cated as glass or in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the framework of Fig. 1, with illustrative positions to which it may be adjusted shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lower pivotal joint and shelf bracket of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the upper pivotal joint of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail showing one of the rubber collars preferably used in connection with 'glass9 table tops, as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a. cross section of a wooden, cork or composition table top which may also be used with the framework shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 7 is a general View of a table or shelf set of more conventional design, illustrating the application of the invention to that type.

I Similar reference numerals refer to similar 4o parts throughout the various views.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the framework shown may be made of solid material but is preferably made of tubing and constructed in three parts. For the first part A the tubing I begins at the pivotal joint 2 and extends upward, then bends to a horizontal position as shown at 3, then downward as shown at 4 until it reaches the floor. The tubing then bends laterally in a new plane and extends horizontally along the floor as shown at 8, then bends up vertically as shown at 'I.

Upon reaching substantially the level of the portion 3, the tubing then bends and runs horizontally as shown at 8, substantially parallel to the portion 3, then bends downward to form another leg 9, which upon reaching the floor level, turns into a new plane and extends along the oor as shown at I0. It then bends upward to form the last leg II and ends at the pivotal joint 2, which is substantially the place of beginning. The part of the framework just described forms a strong 5 main frame A which will sit firmly on a floor and is not liable to be damaged in handling, and which is adapted to support any suitable table top I2.

Pivotally secured to the main frame A at the l0 joint 2 is the second frame B, which extends out from the joint 2 in a horizontal direction as shownA at I4, then bends laterally. still in a horizontal plane, as shown at I5, and then bends downward as at I6, terminating in the pivotal joint I8. The l5 portions I4 and I5 determine a horizontal plane on which a suitable shelf or table top I9 as indicated in broken lines can be placed. By turning about' the pivot 2, this top I9 may be swung under the top I2, as shown in Fig. 1,'and the plan view of 20 Fig. 2, or may be swung out to any desired degree as indicated for-example by the broken lines I4 and I5 in Fig. 2.

A third frame C begins at the pivotal joint I8 andextends downward as shown at 20 to the floor 25 levelthe parts I6, I8, 20 forming a leg to support the shelf I9. The frame 20 then bends horizontally and runs along the fioor level as shown at 22, then bends upward substantially parallel to 20 as shown at 23, and then bends laterally 30 horizontally as shown at 24. This horizontal portion 24 in connection with the bracket 26 near the joint I8, forms a basis on which any suitable shelf or table top 2'l may be placed. This frame C may be swung about the pivot I8 to any 35 desired degree as indicated for example by the broken lines 22', 24 in Fig. 2, or 22, 24".

The fact that the pivot I8 (on which the frame C is swung) may also itself be swung to various locations by moving the frame B about the pivot 2, 40 permits the whole structure to be set at a great variety of unusual angles and positions, giving an attractive effect both in the home and in commercial use in connection with window displays. It also makes the table very adaptable to the use of a group of people, as at a tea, especially where the grouping is informal.

The pivotal joints 2 and I8 may be of any suitable construction, illustrative examples being shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 4 illustrates the joint 2 of Fig. 1, in which the main tubing of the frame A begins at I and ends at I I. These portions I and I I are secured together by the internal member 30, which acts as a pivot-bearing for the 55 pivotal ring or collar 2, to which the arm I4 is attached.

'I'he pivotal joint I8, shown in detail in Fig. 3, has the stub 33 tightly driven in the tube I6, above the joint I8, said stub 33 extending downward within the tube 20 with a suicient clearance so that the tube 20 is freely rotatable on the stub 33. The stub 33 is provided with annular grooves 34, in which the pins or screws 36 may turn, so that these pins or screws 36 lock the tube 20 on the stub 33 so far as longitudinal displacement is concerned, but permit free rotation of the joint. The bracket 26 is secured to the leg 20 as previously described, and forms a support for the lower shelf or table.

Where wood or composition tops or shelves are used, they may be screwed or otherwise attached to the frames, but where glass tops are desired, as in some modernistic applications, it is sometimes preferable to merely lay them on the frame. If laid directly on the framework, the glass is liable vto slide oil, and to be noisy. Accordingly, in such applications, I have found it desirable to t the frame with corrugated rubber collars 40 as shown in Fig. 1 and in detail in Fig. 5. These provide a good grip foi the top, whether it is of glass or any other material, and do not detract from the general appearance. The tops may be of a single material or a combination of diierent materials, Fig. 6 illustrating a top with a wooden foundation 42 and a composition covering 43.

While the invention is particularly applicable to modernistic furniture, it may also be applied to more conventional types, an illustration of a more conventional form being shown in Fig. 1. Instead of the U-shaped legs or supports described above, the form shown in Fig. 7 uses ordinary legs 5U extending from the main table top A to the iioor level. On one of these legs 50 is a pivotal joint 2' (similar in function to the joint 2 previously described, to which is attached a movable table or shelf B. The other support for the table B' is a leg 60, preferably extending from a diagonal corner of the table B' so as to give the best support, though it may be located elsewhere on the table B if sufficiently rigidly connected.

The leg 60 in turn carries a pivotal joint I8 (similar in function to the joint I8 previously described), on which is pivotally mounted the table top or shelf C'. This table C' is also provided with a stabilizing leg 10. Further successive tables or levels might be provided, if desired, along the principles described, and thus permit a great flexibility of arrangement. In general, the principle is to pivotally support each successive table 'on a higher leg of the preceding one; or, expressed differently, to provide a fixed table leg with a swinging table having a leg which can be swung about the rstleg, said swinging leg also carrying a swinging table, so as to permit a wide combination of relative positions.

I have described tables in which the pivotal shelves are attached to one leg in order to simplify the description, but it will be understood that thispivoted construction may be applied to two While I have in the foregoing described particuy lar embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that they are merely for purposes of illustration to make clear the principles thereof, and that the invention is not limited to the particular forms described, but is subject to various modifications and adaptations, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention as stated in the following claims:-

1. In an adjustable table, a. frame formed ln successive Us so as to provide upright legs, horizontal members adapted to rest on the iloor and horizontal members adapted to support a table top, a pivotal joint on one of said legs, a. second frame adapted to support a second table top, said frame having a leg adapted to rest on the floor, a

pivotal joint on said last-mentioned leg, and a 20 frame pivotally mounted on said last-mentioned joint and adapted to support a third table top.

2. In an adjustable table, a frame formed in successive Us so as to provide upright legs, horizontal members adapted to rest on the floor and horizontal members adapted to support a table top, a pivotal joint on one of said legs, a second frame adapted to support a second table top, said frame having a leg adapted to rest on the floor, a pivotal joint on said last-mentioned leg, a frame pivotally mounted on said last-mentioned joint and adapted to support a third table top, said lastmentioned frame extending horizontally after reaching the floor level and then extending upward again to provide further support for the last-mentioned table top.

3. In a modernistic table, the combination of a pivotal joint, a framework beginning at said joint extending vertically upward, then horizontally, then vertically downward to form a leg, then horizontally along the floor level, then vertically upward to form a leg, then horizontally substantially on a level with the rst horizontal portion, then downward to form a leg, then horizontally along the floor level, and then upward to the joint mentioned at the-beginning, to form a leg, a secondary supporting frame attached to said pivotal joint, and extending horizontally therefrom, then laterally, and then downward to a second pivotal joint, and a third supporting frame extending downward from said second pivotal joint to the floor level, then horizontally, and then upward again to form a. further supporting member.

4. In an adjustable table, the combination of successive table tops arranged at different levels, with the lower ones successively pivoted to a higher leg of the preceding one, whereby a variety of combined angular pivoted motions may be produced between the table tops, the lowest table top being capable of swinging under the next higher one to form a nesting pair, and said nesting pair being capable of swinging as a unit under the next higher table top, whereby successively lower tables may be nested by rotational movements of progressively diminishing groups.

I PETER J. BITTERMANN. 

